AmaWaterways Celebrates Vilshofen’s 1,250th Anniversary in Germany

AmaWaterways, the award-winning luxury river cruise line, joined the town of Vilshofen an der Donau, Germany, on November 8 to celebrate its 1,250th anniversary and recognize the long-standing partnership between the river cruise company and the local community.

Hosted aboard AmaWaterways' award-winning river cruise ship, AmaMagna, the special celebration brought together local officials, community members and business partners for a day of festivities honoring Vilshofen's rich history and its enduring connection to river cruising.

The day began with guided ship tours, offering up to 200 local residents the opportunity to step aboard AmaMagna for a firsthand look at the river cruise experience. The festivities continued with a special ceremony and luncheon attended by the town's mayor, former mayor, local officials and business partners.

During the ceremony, representatives from AmaWaterways and Vilshofen commemorated their partnership through an exchange of flags and the presentation of special gifts, including a commemorative ship's bell honoring the occasion.

The relationship between AmaWaterways and Vilshofen is a truly special one, built on a long and successful history. It began in 2008 with the first ship calls and has grown into a strong and trusted partnership that is of great importance to our city.

A visible symbol of this partnership has been the many ship christening ceremonies held in Vilshofen. These events have brought international attention to our city and helped establish Vilshofen as a recognized destination within the river cruise industry. Another important milestone came in 2019, when AmaWaterways and the City of Vilshofen jointly renovated and modernized the cruise ship landing facility as part of the Donauwelle project.

One of Vilshofen's trademarks is its traditional Bavarian beer festivals. We want to offer guests more than just a place to dock. We want them to experience authentic Bavarian hospitality through local music, regional specialties, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

The numbers speak for themselves: in 2026 alone, we organized 214 beer festivals for river cruise passengers. This impressive figure reflects the importance of river cruising to our city and the strength of our partnership with AmaWaterways.

Florian Gams, First Mayor of the City of Vilshofen an der Donau

The celebration reflects AmaWaterways' broader commitment to building lasting relationships with the destinations and communities that welcome its ships. Beyond introducing travelers to the cultural heritage and traditions of each destination, AmaWaterways recognizes the importance of working closely with local partners, supporting community connections and celebrating the unique identities of the places it visits. Its long-standing relationship with Vilshofen exemplifies this approach, demonstrating how river cruising can foster meaningful partnerships that extend well beyond the guest experience.